Odor eliminators

Pet odors, cooking smells, smoke and wildlife scat are some of the most unpleasant — and most stubborn — smells you may encounter. Odor eliminators are a great way to address the most challenging and lingering odors. They’re available in various formats, but many people prefer sprays for their convenience and fast action. Some spray odor eliminators are specially designed to clean pet odors. Other sprays are formulated to rid the area of smoke odors.

Two of the top-rated odor eliminators on the market — OdoBan and Zero Odor — work inside and outside your living space to eliminate odors on almost all surfaces and areas. Although they’re both highly rated, each has specific pros and cons.

What are odor eliminators?

You can find odor eliminators in spray, gel, powder and other forms. Many people prefer sprays because they’re generally easy to use — just point and spray. Most sprays have the added benefit of stain-free solutions. This means you can spray it on your couch, patio chairs, driveway, car upholstery or just about anywhere else it’s needed without worrying about staining fabric or other materials.

Many retailers carry sprays that work both inside and outside the home. It’s important to carefully read the labels of any products you consider to make sure they won’t stain. You also want to check the ingredients in the solution to make sure they’re safe for kids, pets and landscaping. Prices for such sprays vary from about $5 to more than $100 per bottle.

OdoBan

OdoBan pros

The original OdoBan is made to kill 99.9% of germs and stop the growth of mold and mildew. It’s safe for carpet, upholstery, clothes, drapes, drywall, baseboards, patio tiles and just about any other surface. It’s always wise to test a small area before using it throughout a space, though. The formula is very concentrated, so you only need to use a bit to rid an area of odors. Its strength means you should hold it 6-8 inches from surfaces and clean it with a brush, sponge or cloth.

Some people recommended OdoBan as an air freshener and a fabric refresher. That’s especially true when you want to eliminate odors after a fire or flood. Odoban It’s available in various scents including lavender, citrus, fresh linen, cotton breeze and eucalyptus. OdoBan is also available in gallon containers and formulas for specific uses such as laundry.

OdoBan cons

Some users find the smell of OdoBan so overwhelming they need to discontinue its use. Some users also question batch consistency.

Zero Odor pros

Zero Odor multi-purpose spray is formulated to completely eliminate tough odors, including skunk and diaper smells, rather than masking them with perfume or medicinal fragrances. When you spray it, you will smell a temporary “tracer scent” that indicates the areas you treated. That saves product and extra work.

Zero Odor is non-toxic, non-allergenic and biodegradable. It has no bleach or chlorine so that you can use it on any surface without concerns about staining. Again, it’s wise to test a small area of the surface before using it on the entire area. The manufacturer notes the spray can alter the structure of odors to permanently dispel them.

You can buy Zero Odor refill bottles. There are also formulas specifically made for pet and laundry odors.

Zero Odor cons

Some users complain about a chlorine smell and batch consistency. This product is much more expensive than OdoBan.

Should you get OdoBan or Zero Odor?

If you want to save money, OdoBan is a good choice. It is safe to use inside and outside your home and eliminates strong odors. If you have the extra cash to splurge, Zero Odor is the top choice. It does the work of OdoBan in an environmentally safe way. The temporary “tracer scent” also saves you time and money when working in a large area. Testing is also cruelty-free.

Nancy Dunham is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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